Emily Coon has built a career that reflects passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to creating positive change within the hospitality industry. Her journey is unique because hospitality has always been at the center of her professional life. From her very first role in the café of a campsite to working in hotels and spending multiple ski seasons in hospitality roles while completing her studies online, she consistently remained connected to food, drink, and customer experiences. Over time, her interest in sustainability naturally merged with her hospitality background, leading her to a career where she could help businesses create value while caring for people and the environment. Her story and insights are based on her professional experiences and leadership journey. We at CIO Global, are proud to introduce Emily Coon as one of the The Most Acclaimed Leaders in Hospitality, 2026.
Growing up on a small farm in Cornwall played an important role in shaping Emily’s perspective. Living close to nature helped her understand the connection between people, communities, and the environment. This early appreciation inspired her passion for sustainability and gave her a strong sense of responsibility toward protecting natural resources. As she progressed through her career, she recognized that hospitality is one of the few industries where business success, community wellbeing, and environmental responsibility come together every day.
Leadership is not about authority – it is about inspiring others to act.
Today, Emily leads sustainability efforts at St Austell Brewery, one of the most respected names in the hospitality sector. Her role spans breweries, supply chains, and more than 160 pubs and inns. Operating as a team of one, she has successfully built the organization’s sustainability function from the ground up. She has developed long-term sustainability strategies, governance frameworks, and reporting systems that help guide the company’s future direction. Her work demonstrates that sustainability is not simply an environmental initiative but an essential part of business resilience and long-term success.
Emily describes her leadership style as influence-led. Unlike traditional leadership roles that rely on direct authority, her work depends on collaboration, trust, and communication. She believes that meaningful change happens when people feel ownership of a shared goal. Rather than telling people what to do, she focuses on helping them understand why change matters and how they can contribute. This approach has allowed her to drive significant progress throughout the business despite not having a dedicated team.
One of the strongest themes throughout Emily’s career is her belief that sustainability is ultimately about people. She understands that successful organizations are built on strong relationships, shared values, and a commitment to creating positive outcomes for future generations. For her, hospitality is uniquely positioned to influence communities because it sits at the heart of everyday life. Pubs, hotels, and restaurants are places where people connect, celebrate, and build relationships. This gives hospitality businesses an important opportunity to make a positive difference.
When asked about great hospitality, Emily keeps her answer simple. She believes hospitality is about care. It is about making people feel welcome, valued, and connected. Great hospitality extends beyond serving food and drinks. It includes caring for employees, suppliers, communities, and the environment. She believes customers may forget what they ordered, but they will always remember how a business made them feel.
Throughout her career, Emily has faced several challenges. One of the most significant was learning how to influence without authority. Sustainability leaders often rely on collaboration across different departments and functions. Success depends on building trust and encouraging others to embrace change. Emily learned that sustainable progress happens when people genuinely believe in the purpose behind the work.
Another challenge was rebuilding her confidence. At one point in her career, she began questioning her own value and contribution. She found herself holding back ideas and doubting her abilities. Joining St Austell Brewery proved to be a turning point. The trust and support she received allowed her confidence to grow alongside her professional impact. Over the years, she has built a successful sustainability function, delivered a TEDx talk, received industry awards, appeared on multiple 30 Under 30 lists, and established herself as a respected voice within the hospitality sector.
Great hospitality begins with care and ends with lasting connections.
Emily believes that confidence is not something people discover overnight. Instead, it develops through experience, support, and opportunities to grow. She also believes that choosing the right workplace can have a significant impact on personal and professional development. Leaders who create environments where people feel trusted and valued help individuals reach their full potential.
The hospitality industry has changed significantly in recent years, and Emily has witnessed this transformation firsthand. Sustainability, responsible sourcing, employee wellbeing, and community engagement have become major priorities. Customers increasingly want authentic experiences and businesses that reflect their values. As a result, organizations are recognizing that long-term success depends on resilience, responsibility, and trust.
Technology also plays an important role in Emily’s work. She views technology as a powerful tool that helps businesses better understand their environmental impact, improve data quality, and identify opportunities for improvement. However, she believes technology alone cannot create meaningful change. People, culture, and leadership remain the most important drivers of progress.
One of Emily’s most valuable business strategies is collaboration. She does not see sustainability as a competitive advantage that should be protected. Instead, she believes that businesses achieve more when they share ideas and work together to solve common challenges. Many sustainability issues are systemic and require collective action. This collaborative mindset has contributed to significant achievements, including recognition for sustainability leadership within the hospitality industry.
Looking ahead, Emily’s goal is to continue embedding sustainability into every aspect of business operations. She wants sustainability to become second nature rather than a separate initiative. Her vision is for employees at every level of the organization to instinctively consider sustainability when making decisions. She believes this type of cultural transformation creates the most meaningful and lasting impact.
Beyond her own organization, Emily hopes to demonstrate that heritage businesses can become modern sustainability leaders. She wants to show that sustainability is not only about protecting the environment but also about strengthening businesses, supporting communities, and creating long-term value.
For the next generation of leaders, Emily’s message is both inspiring and practical. She encourages young professionals to trust themselves, embrace opportunities, and never underestimate the value of their voice. Leadership is not about authority or having all the answers. It is about creating opportunities for others to succeed, challenging outdated thinking, and taking action on what matters most. She also believes authenticity is one of the greatest strengths a leader can possess. People connect with genuine individuals, not carefully constructed personas.
Emily Coon’s career demonstrates the power of purpose-driven leadership. Through sustainability, collaboration, and a commitment to people, she continues to influence positive change across the hospitality industry. Her journey serves as an example of how one person can make a meaningful impact by combining passion, authenticity, and a vision for a better future.